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FISD scores high in STAAR test ratings

Fredericksburg Independent School District met Texas Education Agency standards in both overall accountability and its Bilingual/English as a Second Language Program.

School trustees heard reports of both results during their Monday, Aug. 11 regular meeting.

Harper ISD overall received a “met standard” rating, although Harper Elementary School received an “improvement required” rating.

Doss Consolidated Common School District also received an overall “met standard” rating.

FISD received 12 campus distinction designation stars but missed by one distinction of receiving postsecondary readiness at the district level.

Of the more than 1,200 Texas school districts tested, 26 of the districts (including Kerrville ISD and Wimberley ISD) achieved this special recognition.

At the meeting, the trustees also received an update on construction projects and approved the 2014-2015 Professional Development Appraisal System Administrators and PDAS Calendar.

TEA accountability

At the trustee meeting, Linda Hicks, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, discussed the TEA accountability report with the trustees.

Even though FISD fell one distinction short of being among the top two percent of Texas school districts to receive district distinction, FISD superintendent Dr. Eric Wright was overall pleased with results.

“There are many, many (school districts) that met state standards but didn’t get a single star,” he said. “We got 12 stars in our district. I find what we did very impressive. The things we have planned to do should increase the number of stars we’ll have.”

“When you don’t know what you’re shooting for, it’s hard to achieve,” he said. “Now that we know what’s out there, I suspect more will reach these levels.”

Hicks pointed out that this year’s TEA results are different in that, for the first time, all campuses are being tested for postsecondary readiness.

FMS received five stars: three for Academic Achievement in Mathematics, Science and Social Studies, one for being in the Top 25 Percent Closing Performance Gap and one for Postsecondary Readiness.

FHS received AA distinctions in Reading/English Language Arts and Social Studies and a third star for Postsecondary Readiness.

FES received two stars — an AA in Reading/ELA and for Postsecondary Readiness.

Stonewall also received two stars — an AA in Mathematics and another for Top 25 Percent Student Progress.

Harper High School met the standard and received five stars: AA ratings in Reading/ELA, Mathematics, Social Studies and two others for Top 25 Percent Closing Performance Gap and one for Postsecondary Readiness.

Harper Middle School also met the standard, and it received one star in Postsecondary Readiness.

Harper Elementary School received an “Improvement Required” rating, due to its Index 2 score of 23 (the target was 33).

Harper superintendent Chris Stevenson said he was happy with how the high school and middle school performed. He added they would be working to make improvements at the elementary school.

“We will look at all areas accordingly and look to improve where needed,” he said. “We will also be looking at the data to identify the needs in order to help our students show the appropriate growth from year to year.”

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